¹² Who has measured the waters^(A) in the hollow of his hand,^(B)
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?^(C)
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?^(D)
13 Who can fathom the Spirit^[a](E) of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?^(F)
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,^(G)
    or showed him the path of understanding?^(H)

¹⁵ Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;^(I)
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.^(J)
16 Lebanon^(K) is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals^(L) enough for burnt offerings.
¹⁷ Before him all the nations^(M) are as nothing;^(N)
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.^(O)

¹⁸ With whom, then, will you compare God?^(P)
    To what image^(Q) will you liken him?
¹⁹ As for an idol,^(R) a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith^(S) overlays it with gold^(T)
    and fashions silver chains for it.
²⁰ A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood^(U) that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol^(V) that will not topple.^(W)